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By Nadia Saleem
DUBAI, Nov 9 (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has
bought two Bombardier Global 6000 jets with surveillance
equipment from Sweden's SAAB SAABb.ST in a deal worth $1.27
billion, a defence ministry official said on Monday.
Major General Abdullah al-Hashimi, the ministry's executive
director of strategic analysis, said UAE was also in talks about
upgrading the radar systems of two older SAAB turboprop planes
and would decide whether to proceed within two years.
"The two radars will be close and similar to each other,"
Hashimi said at the Dubai Airshow, referring to the new system
and the planned systems upgrade of its two Saab 340s, a
twin-engine turboprop aircraft.
Saab will deliver the new airborne surveillance system based
on "Saab Erieye", which is a high-performance, long-range
airborne early warning and control radar system.
It will use Canadian planemaker Bombardier's BBDb.TO
Global 6000, a long-range and large cabin business jet.
Hakan Buskhe, president and chief executive of SAAB, said
the company was "heavily invested" in the Middle East.
"Surveillance overall is extremely important here, the
market potential is huge," he said at the Airshow.
Buskhe declined to comment on whether SAAB had seen any
impact on demand from increased conflict in the Gulf or falling
oil prices.
"We try to be extremely affordable, but can't speculate on
impact from oil prices," he said.
Conflicts in Iraq, Syria and Yemen have increased demand for
surveillance and for border security. Weapon makers are looking
for opportunities to meet that demand by equipping manned and
unmanned sensors for security and surveillance.